Program payments mailed to county producers
By WILLIAM J. HARMON
Executive Director
Marion County FSA
Marion County producers are receiving more than $673,000 in general and continuous Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) contract payments. Earned payments are disbursed by electronic funds transfer or direct deposit into the producer's designated financial account.
Other CRP payments, including reimbursement of 50 percent of expenses for establishing cover and incentive payments for enrolling eligible conservation practices, are made throughout the year. There currently are 603 CRP contracts that cover 16,726 acres.
Recent inspections of CRP acreage by Marion County FSA this year found contract holders are generally maintaining their grass cover plantings well in accordance with their conservation plan. But, producers are reminded of the restrictions that exist on CRP lands that include control of invasive weed and tree species and not parking farm machinery, equipment, hay bales from adjoining fields, etc. on contract acreage. A violation of these rules can cause producers to be assessed monetary penalties or suffer possible contract termination.
CRP is the nation's premier program for protecting fragile natural resources and enhancing the environment. Under CRP, producers voluntarily retire environmentally sensitive cropland for 10 to 15 years. Land to be enrolled must be highly erodible, contribute to a serious water quality problem, provide important wildlife habitat, or provide substantial environmental benefits if devoted to certain specific conservation uses.
